Welcome to the Kennesaw State Volleyball program's Griffin's Game Page. Here you can learn everything there is to know about the team's
annual Griffin's Game, celebrating its ninth year in 2024, and help make an impact on a local family courageously battling pediatric cancer.
BUY TICKETS or DONATE NOW | BUY T-Shirt | The Story Behind Grifin's Game | 2024 Volleyball Schedule | CURE Childhood Cancer
(Thanks to this year's T-Shirt sponsors - One of a Kind / Tsunami Cobb / Zaxby's Kennesaw / Mega Services LLC / Dependable Concrete Construction / CURE Childhood Cancer)
A Kennesaw State volleyball tradition unlike any other, this year marks the ninth annual Griffin's Game when the Owls host Mercer on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.
This year, Griffin's Game will honor King Senat, a six-year old boy from Powder Springs, Ga.
You can donate or purchase a Griffin's Game T-Shirt at the link above. T-Shirts will also be sold at the match on Sept. 9, and there will be frequent chances to donate in-game.
Griffin's Game, A Brief History
Named in honor of Head Coach Keith Schunzel and volunteer assistant Briana Schunzel's son, Griffin, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on March 25, 2015.
During Griffin's treatment, the Schunzels received an overwhelming amount of support from family, friends and the Kennesaw State community. They, along with the volleyball program and the KSU athletic department, wanted to be able to give that same level of support to a local family dealing with the same struggle.
"Griffin's game is our way of directly impacting a family who is battling this terrible disease called cancer as well as continuing to raise awareness. Griffin's game is about hope, love and community. Any amount of money raised, big or small, will 100% go into these families' pockets to help them with whatever needs they have. Bri, Griffin and I have felt so much love and support in our own fight. From very personal experience, when people give money it's about so much more than the money, it's their way of saying, we love you, keep fighting and we're with you. And in the best way we know how to, we want these families to know and feel that we're here for them, that people love them and that the best way to fight something is with people who care standing right beside you.
For seven years now the KSU volleyball team has chosen a local family to honor and support in order to help with their expenses in their fight against childhood cancer. With donations rising each year, the Schunzels and the KSU volleyball program have been able to raise more than 30,000 dollars for local families in need.
Meet King Senat
This year, Griffin's Game will honor six-year old King Senat, who was diagnosed in February of this year with an aggressive form of cancer called neuroblastoma. Shortly after his 6th birthday on January 11th, King started to lose his appetite, developed fevers, and eventually was so weak he couldn't walk. He was taken to CHOA Eggleston where he would spend the next few months in and out of the hospital receiving aggressive treatment to shrink a tumor larger than a grapefruit that had formed in his kidney. In addition, cancer had spread throughout 100% of King's bone marrow, causing his diagnosis to be extremely life threatening.
On May 13th, the tumor was surgically removed, and King has continued to show so much fight and bravery during this difficult time. His treatment cycles include five-day stays at CHOA for intense chemotherapy, with terrible side effects including on-going fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes, hair loss and fevers. The cancer cells in his bone marrow have improved to 25% infiltration, but he still has a long road ahead.
His next scan will determine if he's ready for a stem cell transplant, which will require at least a 30-day hospital stay. King and his mom Jennifer need all of our support as they navigate this tough journey together. They lost King's father to stomach cancer, and also suffered the loss of King's twin. Let's wrap our arms around them as they fight for his life one day at a time.
King loves his puppy, who he named Penny Parker, inspired by his huge love for Spider-Man. Also, King loves to help others and cuddle and show his affection with hugs and kisses. He also loves gaming and movie night with his family. King is a funny prankster and likes to make others laugh.
Now it's our turn to rally together to lift King up and put a smile on his face.
For updates on Griffin's Game, as well as ways to donate, be sure to regularly check KSUOwls.com or follow Kennesaw State volleyball on twitter and Instagram at @KSUOwlsVB or like Kennesaw State volleyball on Facebook.
